(RTTNews) - The Ben Affleck-directed "Argo" will be released on September 14, 2012, Warner Bros. has announced.

The Iran hostage crisis drama—which focuses on a less-publicized incident in 1979 in which six Americans were given refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador to Iran after the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by militants—is being produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov. The ensemble cast stars Affleck alongside Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman.

The release time-frame given for "Argo" mirrors that used by the studio to release Affleck's highly-acclaimed directorial debut, "The Town," and the film will be released on the same weekend as the studio is planning to drop "Resident Alien 5."

Inside Grant Heslov's Partnership With George Clooney and Their Next Film

BY Scott Huver // Friday, Oct 14, 2011

. . . “Argo” is the next film from Heslov and Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures, a bizarre true-life story set during the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran, in which CIA uses a fake Hollywood movie shoot to enter Tehran and try to smuggle out a small group of Americans hiding out at the Canadian embassy. The film stars and is directed by another multi-hyphenate: Ben Affleck.

“Somebody in my company brought me article that was in 'Details' Magazine. I read it and I said, 'This would make a fantastic film. Let’s get the option,'” says Heslov. “Then we hired this guy [Chris Terrio] to write it, who really hadn't written much, and he wrote a fantastic script. George and I were going to make it. Neither one of us was going to direct it. We were going to find a director, and maybe George was going to be in it, depending on who the director was. And while we were making 'Ides of March' we got a call from the studio saying that Ben Affleck had read it and was really interested in directing it and possibly being in it. We said, 'That sounds really interesting,' because we thought that his last film ("The Town") was great. So George and I got on the phone with Ben and we had a long talk and talked about it and decided, 'Yeah, you should do it.' It's cool. We just finished our fifth week of shooting.”

As an intriguing side-note, the real-life CIA hired comic book artist Jack Kirby – co-creator of Captain America, Thor, the Fantastic Four and countless more characters – to create a series of storyboards and conceptual designs that helped sell the illusion that a real movie was going to be made. “Jack Kirby is in it, yeah – not the Jack Kirby, but yes, “ says Heslov. “It's a small part, but the storyboards play a significant role in the piece. We've actually shot the Jack Kirby stuff already with Michael Parks. He's like in every Quentin Tarantino movie and he was a big star when he was younger.”

WB unleashed its previews of its movies in 2012, included is the first official photo above of ARGO, the upcoming film directed by and starring Ben Affleck.

Affleck directs ARGO, political thriller with wry humor based on a Wired Magazine article titled How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran about the Tehran hostage crisis.

Produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, the team behind Good Night And Good Luck

Scripted by Chris Terrio, the article was written by “Joshuah Bearman and published in April 2007, the story centers on how, during the occupation of the American embassy by Iranians in 1979, a rescue effort was mounted by the CIA and the Canadian government to extract six U.S. diplomats.

The CIA used a disguise expert and concocted a scenario that involved the six being a Hollywood crew scouting a movie titled Argo. Under those disguises, they were able to flee the country.Of interest to comic geeks is the involvement of legendary comics creator Jack Kirby; the artist’s movie designs and drawings were used by the CIA to sell the existence of the movie.”

Alan Arkin will play Hollywood producer Lester Siegel, an O.S.S. veteran described as part bookie and part rabbi.John Goodman will play Oscar winning makeup artist, John Chambers (Planet Of The Apes)

Ben Affleck wil play Tony Mendez, the CIA exfiltration expert who created the fake Hollywood production

Taylor Schilling will play Affleck’s character’s wife, Christina Mendez, a former teacher who worries for her husband going off on a dangerous mission

Tate Donovan will play Bob Anders, a U.S. embassy consular officer in Tehran

Nelson Franklin will play a reporter.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis: Based on true events, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis — the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.

Warner Bros is tweaking its 2012 movie release schedule. The Ben Affleck-directed Argo moves back to Oct 12. (It had been slated for Sept 14.) Oct 12 had been reserved for The Gangster Squad, which will get a release date shortly. This is the second time the Ruben Fleischer-directed cops-and-mb crime drama set in 1940s-’50s LA has been moved. It was originally scheduled for Oct. 19. The film stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin and Nick Nolte.

Affleck’s Argo is, like Gangster Squad, a fact-based project. This project focuses on a covert operation to rescue a group of Americans during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Six of the 52 Americans taken hostage during Iran’s revolution managed to find refuge at the home of the Canadian ambassador. Affleck stars in the film as well. Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman are also featured in the cast.

Ben Affleck, at one point known as one half of Bennifer and the star of Gigli, has executed an impressive career turn-around lately by becoming a director. His debut Gone Baby Gone was a lean and smart crime thriller that earned an Oscar nomination for co-star Amy Ryan, and 2010's The Town expanded the criminal scope a bit while also making room for strong performances and Affleck's own increasingly strong voice behind the camera. Now with his third effort, Argo, Affleck is getting away from Boston criminals-- really, about as far away as you can imagine. Telling the true story of the rescue of the hostages held at the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran after the revolution there, Argo involves government agents, Hollywood studios and a fake science fiction movie that actually succeeded in rescuing some hostage.

To know more, take a look at the new trailer-- it's posted by Warner Bros. UK, but given that it also premiered on Good Morning America today, I assume it's also the domestic version.There's a pretty sharp tonal shift halfway through this trailer, going from the intense action of the Irananian Revolution and the CIA agents charged with rescuing them to the bright sunshine of Hollywood, where Affleck's bearded character cooks up a plan to fake a sci-fi movie that would give the hostages cover to escape the country. The entire daring effort was documented in a Wired Magazine article that's well worth your time to read, though be wary of spoilers! No, seriously-- Argo looks pretty great, and when it comes to theaters on October 12, you might be more excited to be surprised.

As you might have noticed in the trailer, Affleck's got a crazy great cast backing him up this time-- there's Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Kyle Chandler, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber, and solid character actors like Tate Donovan, Titus Welliver and Clea DuVall. Even without Affleck's strong previous track record, there's a lot to be excited about here.

Just saw "For Greater Glory" and got a special treat; a preview of "Argo." Seems very funny, as it spoofs the egocentric movie industry. Will have to wait until Sept, however. G's name IS prominently mentioned.

Interesting that it was previewed before an audience watching a film, "For Greater Glory" that was billed as based on a true story, good vs bad, morality and courage in light of a very dangerous situation, risking your life for a better cause and with an uncertain outcome. The senior couple sitting next to me responded very positively when they heard G's name; his recent movies are some of the few that they actually like. There are plenty of movie theaters in Vegas, especially in the local casinos. Prices drop to between $1 and $4 depending on the day; great way to escape the heat. The preview showed a summary of the whole story but gave the impression that it would be a comedy, perhaps a less dirty version of what Sasha Baron Cohen would dream up. Alan Arkin was shown at his best, and G's name was mentioned at least 3 times.

silly girl wrote:This looks really good....wasn't there a Canadian movie made about this years ago? I remember being intrigued by the story....I still have the magazines from when the hostages were released....

From Wickie....

Canadian Caper

In popular culture

In March 1980, Mercury Records released a spoken-word record by seven-year-old Shelley Looney, called "(This Is My Country) Thank You, Canada". The record received some airplay and made Cashbox's Top 100 (two weeks at #99) and Billboard Magazine's "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" chart nationally, peaking at #109. (Looney would grow up to play for the US Olympic women's ice hockey team in 1998 and 2002; coincidentally, it was her goal against the Canadians that clinched the gold medal for the USA in 1998.)

In 1981, a television movie about the Canadian Caper was made, Escape from Iran: The Canadian Caper, directed by Lamont Johnson, with Ken Taylor and John Sheardown played by Gordon Pinsent and Chris Wiggins, respectively. The movie was filmed in and around Toronto, which the cast and crew nicknamed "Tehranto".

Laura Scandiffio wrote a short story based on this event: ‘Fugitives in Iran’ (2003, Puffin).

Wired ran a story in April 2007 about the Caper.[6]

The film Argo, based on the article, is set for release on October 12th, 2012.[edit]

The 39th Annual Telluride Film Festival officially gets underway tonight but the fest provided a “sneak preview” of its highest profile movie, Director/star Ben Affleck’s pulse-pounding true life thriller, Argo which made its world debut this afternoon in a special preview for patron and sponsor passholders and selected press. Judging from the reaction during the end credits as well as talk on the streets afterward Warner Bros not only has a hit on their hands but a slam-dunk major Oscar contender in several categories.

Jumpstarting the long six-month awards season which officially begins with the Venice/Telluride/Toronto Film Festivals, this is the kind of supremely well-crafted studio film that Academy members (and there were several on hand for this screening) will eat up . “It’s got my vote as one of the ten”, an acad voter told me afterwards. It also shows the movie industry off in a strong light which should further impress Oscar voters. Unless I am crazy expect nominations for Picture (producers are Affleck, George Clooney and Grant Heslov), Director for Affleck, Chris Terrio’s screenplay , and supporting actor for Alan Arkin, possibly even Bryan Cranston. Affleck also could figure in the over-crowded Best Actor contest and editing, score (Alexandre Desplat) and Rodrigo Prietro’s stirring cinematography are other possibilities. At last February’s Oscars Governors Ball, a top Warners exec predicted this film, still in post then, could be the studio’s best shot at top Oscar attention in 2012. Looks like they could be right.

Telluride has a recent tradition of debuting at least one solid Best Picture contender (recent Best Pic winners Slumdog Millionaire, King’s Speech and The Artist all got the awards season rolling in earnest right here in the Rocky Mountains) and Argo has already laid claim to one of those spots if reaction holds. Next stop is Toronto a week from today where it should also be huge considering it has a strong Canadian connection in this story of the rescue attempt of six Americans who managed to escape and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador after 52 of their colleagues were taken hostage by Iranian militants who took over the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. It was a crisis that lasted 444 days until all were released on Jan 21, 1981. But the incredible real story of these prevoiusly unknown six was classified and not detailed until President Clinton declassified it in 1997. The tale of how a CIA exfiltration specialist named Tony Mendez (played by Affleck) tried to get them out under the ruse of making a fake Hollywood science fiction film called Argo would be impossible to believe if it weren’t true, and although filmmakers have taken some dramatic liberties to tell it, it is powerful stuff. Former President Jimmy Carter who endured the hostage crisis for the last year and a half of his Presidency even has a part as a new audio interview the film’s producers taped with him is included over the end credits giving the movie extra credibility. After the screening Executive Producer Chay Carter (no relation) told me they were only given a half hour to get it done and it certainly was worth it. I am also told Mendez will be attending the Toronto premiere.

The film not only works as a suspense thriller, it also has strong comedic elements thanks to the Hollywood angle, especially with the jaded producer played by Arkin (“If I am going to make a fake movie, it better be a fake hit!”) and John Goodman who plays Oscar winning make up artist John Chambers who played a key role in setting up the ruse for Mendez.

Although not announced yesterday as an official part of the Telluride lineup it was strongly tipped to come here and Affleck introduced today’s screening. “You are the first paying people to see the film. I know you didn’t literally pay, but in my heart you did. This is actually one of the few film festivals that really is about seeing movies instead of just walking around and talking about them, ” Affleck said in tipping his hat to the fest which is showing a wide range of films (but his is the only new one directly made for a major studio).

It’s a wise move for Warners to hit the fest trail with this which can only build anticipation for the October 12th wide release and help give cred to the subsequent awards campaign. I am told the studio , knowing it has a long road to go and lots of competition (even from themselves) , is going to take it slow and easy in crafting a campaign for the long haul.

After strong critical and public reaction to his first two directorial efforts , Gone Baby Gone and The Town, the star and Oscar winning screenwriter (Good Will Hunting) has emerged as a major directing talent and seems to be fashioning a career in the tradition of a Clint Eastwood. Both his previous films were shot in his hometown of Boston so Argo reps a definite leap out of his backyard. The first Telluride audience was clearly impressed.

The premise of the movie and the buzz it creates is good and exciting . I´m very happy for Ben Affleck that he has finally an upcoming hit again. His latest was some long time ago.

I´m glad that George has another movie in his pocket which creates already Best Picture -Oscar buzz and proves once again that he is become one of Hollywood's most accomplished and important filmmakers. And he is hands down one of the most gracious. xxx

First TV Spot For ARGO Starring Ben AffleckPosted by Chris A on September 4th, 2012

Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first TV spot for Ben Affleck’s ARGO. With a script by Chris Terrio, the film tells the true story about the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Affleck also stars alongside Bryan Cranston, Clea DuVall, John Goodman, Michael Parks, Taylor Schilling, Kyle Chandler, Victor Garber, Ashley Wood, Tate Donovan and Alan Arkin. Produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, ARGO is scheduled for release on September 14.

Just as it did in its sneak previews in Telluride, Ben Affleck’s Argo killed in Toronto at its official World Premiere Friday at the Roy Thomson Hall. And why not? After all, some of the plot revolves around the Canadians helping to shelter 6 Americans from the radical Iranians who held nearly 60 others hostage for well over a year in 1979. And the Warner Bros brass turned out in force seeing the film receive a highly enthusiastic standing ovation. That included Jeff Robinov, Sue Kroll, Dan Fellman who know they have a likely hit on their hands.

At the after-party, director/star Affleck told me this was one of the best screenings he has ever had for a movie. “They got every reference and recognized all the Canadian names we put in there,” he said. After the highs of the Fall festival circuit, Affleck is just hoping filmgoers turn out when it opens October 12th. “I am doing something I haven’t done for a movie in years and hitting many different cities to promote the film,” he told me.Making the trek to Toronto was co-star Bryan Cranston, the three-time Emmy winner and current nominee for Breaking Bad. He superbly plays Affleck’s CIA boss who okays the crazy plan to create a fake movie production in order to smuggle the 6 Americans out of the Canadian Ambassador’s residence and onto a plane out of Iran without the radical officials figuring it all out.

Cranston told me he knew it was something special the minute he read the script. “It was all there on the page. As an actor you just pray for these kinds of parts,” he said. It was the first film actually allowed to shoot at the CIA headquarters although they confiscated his iPad in the process. Cranston is a brand new voting member of the Academy and told me he is very excited about getting to fill out an Oscar ballot for the first time. Maybe he can vote for himself. Both he and Alan Arkin who plays the producer of the fake film are deserving of supporting consideration. Cranston still has another 8 episodes of Breaking Bad to complete before the series ends for good next summer. He has no idea what will happen. “I never know which direction the writers are going to take us,” he said.

"Argo" is now firmly established as an Oscar frontrunner after a rousing reception at the Toronto film festival. The last five Best Picture winners all unspooled here and this third film by actor turned director Ben Affleck checks a lot of the same boxes.

"Argo" is a deft thriller set against the backdrop of the revolution in 1979 Tehran. When the American embassy is overrun by fundamentalists, six diplomats escape and take refuge with the Canadian ambassador. To ferret them out of the country, the CIA cooks up a cover story that they are part of a production team scouting locations for a Hollywood movie.

The film came to Toronto fresh from a sneak peek at Telluride that had visitors to that high altitude town swooning with delight. Not surprisingly, the Canadian audience ate up the homegrown references. Academy members may well respond to the positive portrayal of Hollywood in the picture which will be released on Oct. 12.

The whole article is at GoldDerby LINK - They have a prediction prompt for the Oscars, too.